State, IMA to organise health camp

AHMEDABAD: A unique public health programme, being planned to coincide with World Diabetes Day on November 14, will address the problem of high incidence of diabetes in Gujarat.
This is for the first time the state health department, the Ahmedabad Municipal Corporation, doctors of the Indian Medical Association, Diabetes Education and Research Centre and the Shivanand Ashram here have come together to organise a massive public health camp at the Sardar Patel stadium.
The 10 day “dhyan yoga shibir�, that would hover upon how yoga,meditation and exercise can prevent lifestyle-diseases, would be organised from November 11 to 19. It would also include informative lecture series on lifestyle modification to manage diabetes and related disorders.
According to honorary secretary of the Shivanand Ashram the 10-day dhyan-yoga shibir would be on from 5.30 am to 7.00 am. “We expect at least 5,000 participants and the number could even rise to 10,000. The shibir is open to all above 10 years at a nominal fee of Rs 20.
It would include teaching dhyan, tratak, asanas, pranayam and exercises beneficial to diabetic, heart and hypertensive patients amongst others.
“It would also include lectures by experts on diabetes, heart problems, paralysis and other related disorders. Those who wish to participate would have to get their names registered� he informed.
Dr. Mayur Patel of the Diabetes Education and Research Centre says that during the shibir they have made efforts to stress on lifestyle modification.
“Diabetes can be prevented and managed through modifying lifestyle. It can help avert heart diseases, paralysis and other disorders like osteoarthritis, which are on the rise� he said.
Diabetologist and endocrinologist Dr. Ramesh Goyal who is associated with the Apollo hospital says, that India has a large number of diabetics and might soon become the diabetes capital of the world. “In the year 2000, India had 32.7 million diabetics and was heading the list of countries having the largest number of diabetic population. If nothing is done to slow this epidemic the number would exceed to 57 million by 2025� he informed.
According to him, this year the World Health Organisation (WHO) has placed emphasis on the theme of “Diabetes and Kidney diseases� on the occasion of world diabetes day and the campaign title is “Diabetes could cost your kidneys: Act now !�
“While kidney is a major cause of illness and death, diabetes is the leading factor that causes damage to the kidneys. It accounts for 35 to 40 per cent of new kidney disease cases each year. Diabetes results in progressive damage to small filtering units of kidney. This eventually leads to large amounts of protein in urine, high blood pressure and declining kidney function requiring dialysis or kidney transplant� he said.
According to him though cure for diabetic kidney disease is not found its progress can be slowed or stopped with early detection. “Regular health checks can help detect early signs of its onset through a specialised urine test for micro-albuminuria. Appropriate treatment can prevent its progression and thus avoid the need for dialysis and transplantation� he added.